More Belgians?

The abundance of Belgians in the Premier League has been a major talking point this season, Marrouane Fellaini, Eden Hazard and Jan Vertonghen have all had great seasons. Here is a list of five Belgians I believe could add to the existing contingent in the Premier League.

1. Dries Mertens

Mertens currently plays his club football in the Eredivisie for PSV, a left sided player with a good eye for goal. He has 14 goals in 26 games from the left side of midfield for the dutch side this season which has sparked rumours of potential moves to Liverpool and Bayern Munich. Mertens did in fact look set to join the Bavarians in the summer but with their recent signing of Mario Götze, it seems that Mertens may be moving elsewhere. Could this be to the Premier League? He reminds me of a left-sided Kevin Mirallas, a skilful winger with the ability to bag a few he would be a great addition for European football chasing sides such as Liverpool, Everton and, in Gareth Bale leaves White Hart Lane, Tottenham. He would probably cost around £12million, a great buy.

2. Jelle Vossen

This man has been linked with moves to the Premier Leagues for ages now. He is a striker playing for Racing Genk, he has scored 17 in 30 games in Belgium. He has a real eye for goal, he has the ability to score with just one touch, he is the definition of a poacher. Linked to Sunderland and Everton in recent times, he would be a great buy for a side looking for someone to score goals. He would probably be open to a move this summer and Genk would probably be open to offers of around £7million.

3. Toby Alderweireld

The central defender playing for Ajax, is one of the most wanted players in Europe at the moment. A strong, versatile player, who is good on the ball he is capable of playing in the heart of defence or in the right. Vice-captain of Ajax at 24 isn’t too bad and with 23 caps for Belgium he is clearly a good player. He has all the makings of a Premier League defender and could be one very soon with teams like Liverpool and Newcastle interested in his signature. He has played in the Champions League and Europa League and at 24 would provide experience and quality to any defence. He could be a valuable buy for teams like Newcastle if Coloccini leaves, Liverpool or Tottenham. A bid of around £8million is an absolute bargain for any team willing to spend on him.

4. Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe

The Club Brugge man is a midfield powerhouse, pacy, strong and almost Yaya Touré-esque, Odjidja-Ofoe would be a great signing. The midfielder came very close to joining Everton last summer but Fifa blocked the potential loan deal. However, this summer he looks set to move on and the Premier League is a big possibility. The 24 year old has already played in the Bundesliga for German side Hamburger SV but after only making 4 appearances he moved back to Belgium to play for Club Brugge and has built up a big reputation in Belgium. He would be a perfect replacement for Marouane Fellaini, a different kind of player yes but one who I believe would fit into Everton’s style of play well. Rumoredly available for around £5.5million he would be a good signing for Premier League sides in need of an affordable, quality central midfielder.

5. Radja Nainggolan

Another central midfielder, he plays for Cagliari in Italy. A central player who can play on the wing has been interesting Southampton of late. Quick footed, a good passer of the ball and a real good shot in his locker he is a quality player. I’m actually surprised bigger clubs haven’t made a move for him and if Southampton can pull off the transfer, he would become one a Southampton’s best players. Available for around £15million, he could be a great buy for Premier League clubs

1 Response

Actually Nainggolan has been linked multiple times to top teams in Italy (Juventus and Napoli). Latest rumour is that he will be signing with Napoli this summer for a fee well over 15 million euros. (the Cagliari chairman doesn’t want to sell, so it’s a hard negotiation)

I also don’t believe that Vadis is the same quality as Fellaini. Technically he is a gifted player, but he’s not a powerhouse as Marouane.